Lord Krishna

Krishna is one of the most widely revered and popular of all Hindu deities. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and also as the supreme god in his own right. He represents love, compassion, wisdom, and the destroyer of evil.

Life Stages

Krishna's life is categorized into distinct phases, each offering unique lessons:

• Bal Krishna (The Divine Child): Known for his mischievousness, stealing butter, and protecting the people of Vrindavan from demons.
• Gopala (The Cowherd): Representing the bond between the divine and nature. His relationship with the Gopis and Radha is seen as the highest form of spiritual love.
• The Statesman and Guide: As the prince of Dwarka and the charioteer of Arjuna in the Kurukshetra war.

The Bhagavad Gita

Perhaps Krishna's greatest contribution is the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred dialogue between him and Arjuna. In it, he explains the concepts of:

• Dharma (Duty): Performing one's duty without attachment to the results.
• Bhakti (Devotion): The path of love and surrender to the divine.
• Jnana (Knowledge): Understanding the true nature of the self and the universe.

Iconography

• Blue Skin: Represents the infinite and the all-pervading nature of the universe (like the sky or the ocean).
• Flute (Bansuri): Its music symbolizes the call of the divine to the human soul.
• Peacock Feather: Adorning his crown, it represents beauty and the mastery over ego.

Major Festival

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.

It is marked by fasting, singing devotional songs, and the 'Dahi Handi' celebrations.

Famous Mantra

"Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare"